The public ministry of Jesus included miracles from the very beginning. He healed people of all manner of sicknesses and diseases. He brought deliverance to those who were tormented, lunatics, and possessed of devils. He taught and preached about the kingdom of God in the synagogues of the Galilee area, at first. This awesome ministry of Jesus filled with the truth, the power and the mercy of God drew great multitudes from that area and even from other parts of Israel, and beyond, such as Syria, and the land across the Jordan River. They followed Him wherever He went (Mt. 4:23-25).
After choosing His disciples, He took them to the top of a mountain, and began to teach them and the great crowd that followed. That mountain is still known as the Mount of Beatitudes in Israel today, because of the great teaching Jesus brought forth there.
If you were to ask the religious leaders of that time how one could receive the blessing of God, they would probably give you several inadequate religious answers. The world would be able to offer only a very limited understanding of the blessing of God, if asked. However, the teaching of Jesus that day, brought such a depth of spiritual truth and revelation, that it would forever be identified with Him as the Sermon on the Mount. It lifted the cover off of the kingdom of God, and clearly revealed the very heart and understanding of our heavenly Father towards us (Mt. 5:3-12).
The term "Blessed" that Jesus used in His teaching means "happy, supremely blessed", as He brings us to the very root, and source of the blessings from God:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Poor in spirit, a broken spirit. Would any of us seek that condition, or admit that we are "poor in spirit"-that we are nothing, have nothing, and know nothing apart from Him? Our Father answers this kind of spiritual poverty with the richness of His kingdom.
"Blessed are they that mourn (grieve, suffer, even associated with the passion): for they shall be comforted (beseeching, comforted, encouraged, strengthened)."
Do our hearts mourn for the spiritual condition we see round us, and within ourselves? Are we interceding with a grieving heart? Our Father answers this grief, and gives the remedy that comforts and strengthens.
"Blessed are the meek (gentle, humble): for they shall inherit the earth."
Humility has become a rare commodity, both in the world, and in the Church. All feel entitled, and deserving of honor, substance, and reputation. They do not seek the great (earthly) inheritance that the LORD has for those who remain "small" in His sight.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."
We crave many things, but do we crave righteousness? Righteousness is not valued in the world. Religious righteousness, gathered by our own efforts is worthless, but the righteousness of God, the Person of His Son, is gained by our craving for Him. Our Father answers that sincere craving by filling us with His Son, the King of Righteousness.
"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
The world has become a place without mercy. Do we have mercy for others? A heart that extends mercy to others will, in turn, receive the mercy of our Father. That mercy is the fountain that produces eternal life.
"Blessed are the pure in heart (the center of our being, purged and cleansed) : for they shall see God."
Romans 12:1-2 tells us not to be conformed to the world, but transformed, changed into something completely different, by the renewing of our minds. We are to align our thoughts with what God says, being living examples of His good, acceptable and perfect will. Those who have been so transformed will see (gaze with wide open eyes at something remarkable) God, see His face.
"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children (mature sons) of God."
Where are the peacemakers of this generation? Are they in the divided, strife-filled Church, or in our divided families? Can we claim to be "mature" in the LORD, when we are not able to be peacemakers? Our Father gave His only begotten Son to make peace between Himself and men (Lk. 2:14). What sacrifice are we willing to make to bring the peace of reconciliation? A peacemaker of God makes peace without compromising truth.
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...for great is your reward in heaven..."
We hear the stories of those across the world who have been severely persecuted for their faith in Christ. Even in our own country, we see reviling directed toward those of faith. The righteousness of God is called evil, and reviled by those who have made up their own system of "righteousness".
The religious leaders of Jesus' time were so undiscerning of the kingdom of God, that they thought Jesus was teaching against the Law of Moses, and reviled Him as unrighteous. He assured all that nothing could be further from the truth. He, His teachings, the miracles that followed Him, were the fulfilment of the Law and the prophets (Mt. 5:17-18).
He told His disciples and us, that in knowing and becoming, being transformed, into these truths of the kingdom of God, we would also be the light, and the preserving and cleansing salt of the whole world (Mt. 5:13-16). We are to do these things, and teach them (Mt. 5:19). Our righteousness was to exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt. 5:20), the religious leaders of that day, and even this day, whose religious form of righteousness could not save themselves, or others.
Through this sermon of Jesus, not only is the heart of the Father and His kingdom revealed to us, but our own hearts are revealed as well. Jesus intended that we should be transformed by His teaching, and become the "supremely blessed". In turn, we would also be a supreme blessing to others in the earth.
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